Mabamba Shoebill Watching: A Birdwatcher's Paradise

Getting There

• Car

  If you are driving a car from any location in Ssese Islands, start by heading to the nearest ferry terminal, which is located at Kalangala. Take the ferry to Entebbe, which typically runs every hour and costs around 7,000 UGX per person. Once you arrive at Nakiwogo, Entebbe, you can use local roads to navigate to Mabamba Shoebills watching. Follow the signs toward the Mabamba Wetlands area, staying on the main road. The journey should take about 30 minutes from the ferry terminal.

• Public Transportation

  To reach Mabamba Shoebills watching using public transportation, first, travel from your location in Ssese Islands to the Kalangala ferry terminal. Take the ferry to Entebbe (costing approximately 7,000 UGX). Upon arrival in Nakiwogo, you can hire a local boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) or a matatu (shared taxi) to take you directly to Mabamba Wetlands. The boda-boda ride should cost around 20,000 UGX and take approximately 20 minutes.

• Boat

  From the Mabamba Wetlands, a local boat can be hired for shoebill watching. It is advisable to book this in advance through the Mabamba Shoebills watching organization. The boat ride typically costs about 50,000 UGX per person and lasts around 2-3 hours, providing an excellent opportunity to view the shoebills in their natural habitat.